We all love the idea of a lush porch garden. But between weekend soccer games and long work hours keeping up with watering can feel like a part time job. One missed afternoon in the July sun and your expensive patio tomatoes are toast.
Enter the self watering container. Buying these at the garden center can drain your wallet fast. But with a quick trip to the hardware store you can build your own for a fraction of the cost. Here are three simple builds that save time water and your sanity.
The 5 Gallon Bucket Tomato Tower
This is the ultimate weekend warrior project. It is cheap indestructible and perfect for thirsty plants like tomatoes or peppers.
Materials:
- Two clean 5 gallon buckets
- One plastic deli cup
- 1 inch PVC pipe cut to 24 inches
- Potting mix
Steps by steps guide:
- Drill a 3 inch hole in the center of one bucket bottom.
- Drill several small drainage holes around the rest of that same bucket bottom.
- Drill a 1 inch hole near the edge of that bottom for the PVC pipe.
- Poke lots of small holes in the deli cup and wedge it into the center 3 inch hole.
- Drill an overflow hole in the side of the second uncut bucket about 3 inches from the bottom.
- Place the drilled bucket inside the uncut bucket.
- Slide the PVC pipe down through the edge hole.
- Fill the deli cup tightly with wet potting mix to act as a wick.
- Fill the rest of the top bucket with soil and plant your tomato.
Always use potting mix not garden soil. Garden soil is too heavy and will not wick water properly up to the plant roots.
The Patio Storage Tote Garden
If you want to grow a whole row of lettuce or a mini herb garden this uses a standard plastic storage bin. It keeps your HOA happy and your plants hydrated.
Materials:
- One 18 gallon plastic storage tote with lid
- 4 inch perforated black drain pipe
- 1 inch PVC pipe cut to 20 inches
- Potting mix
Steps by steps guide:
- Cut the drain pipe into lengths that fit across the bottom of the tote.
- Lay the pipe pieces side by side in the bottom to create a water reservoir.
- Cut a hole in the corner of the tote lid for the PVC pipe.
- Cut a large rectangle out of the center of the lid leaving a 2 inch border.
- Drill an overflow hole in the side of the tote right at the top line of the drain pipes.
- Insert the PVC pipe into the corner so it touches the bottom.
- Snap the cut lid onto the tote.
- Pack soil tightly down into the gaps between the drain pipes to create wicks.
- Fill the rest of the tote with soil and get planting.
Wet soil and water are very heavy. Place your tote exactly where you want it on your deck before you fill it up.
The Soda Bottle Window Herb Planter
This is a nearly free project that is perfect for kitchen window basil or mint. It takes five minutes and recycles plastic from your recycling bin.
Materials:
- Empty 2 liter soda bottle
- Cotton string or thick yarn
- Potting mix
- Craft knife
Steps by steps guide:
- Cut the soda bottle in half across the middle.
- Poke a small hole in the bottle cap.
- Thread a 6 inch piece of string through the hole in the cap.
- Screw the cap back onto the top half of the bottle.
- Fill the bottom half of the bottle with 2 inches of water.
- Invert the top half and nestle it down into the bottom half so the string dangles in the water.
- Fill the top half with potting mix making sure the string is buried in the dirt.
- Plant your herbs and watch them thrive.
Building your own planters is a smart way to get that magazine look without the massive price tag. Your plants get a steady supply of water and you get to enjoy your weekend without holding a hose. You can do this!